MoDOT pushes for fourth straight year of fewer deaths

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation is spreading awareness of safe driving practices heading into the holiday and winter season, with a goal of logging another year of declining traffic deaths.

According to MoDOT, November and December are busy times for deadly crashes. MoDOT said in 2025, 144 people were killed in traffic crashes in Missouri during those two months.

Distracted driving was a leading cause of fatal crashes in Missouri. To date in 2026, 716 people have died on Missouri roads.

“We’ve made progress in reducing fatalities each of the last three years, but if we want to achieve a fourth year in a row of reductions, we’re going to need everyone’s help,” MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson said.

Wednesday is the 10th annual Buckle Up, Phone Down Day, when MoDOT and the Missouri State Highway Patrol will host a media event to share updated numbers on Missouri's road deaths.

Missouri lawmakers have taken steps to create penalties for distracted driving.

The Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law went into effect in August 2023. The law prohibits drivers from using their phone while driving on public roads.

Fines for violating the law include:

• First offense: Fine of up to $150.
• Second offense (within 24 months): Fine of up to $250.
• Three or more offenses (within 24 months): Fine of up to $500.
• Work/school zones: Fines up to $500.
• Severe crashes: If a violation causes property damage over $5,000, severe injury, or death, penalties escalate from misdemeanors to felonies.

An officer can not pull you over solely for going on your phone while driving, making it a secondary enforcement, meaning that you must violate a primary traffic law to get pulled over.

Distracted driving was reported in crashes that killed 97 people in 2025. Authorities say the number is likely higher due to underreporting of distracted drivers.